Hydraulic machine



l.. 'Ff Moom llfDRAULIC MACHINE med sept. 1a, 1924 June 4, 1929.

vlam/0R rf JM l kORN S Z :E M d X Patented June 4, 1929.

UNirl-:D smreal Para oFricE.

LEWIS FERRY rioonY, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

A HYDRAULIC MACHINE.

Application led September 18,A 192.4. Serial No. 738,389.`

This invention relates to hydraulic apparatussuCh as hydraulic pumps orturbines and particularly to vertical' shaft machines having a 'rotor ofthe unshrouded axial or diagonal flow type. The general object of theinvention is to provide such a machine of simple and' eilcient form andhavin a diffuser adapted to accommodate the whirlmg outflow from therotor and to guide it. out along a simple expanding path.

f Other objects of the invention,l especially in the setting of themachine and the formapump station Hoor drives a pump rotor R by shaft Sextending` down through the pit P.

The pump receives its supply f/rom the lower level t or the tail waterbasin through the ,intake passage 7 and vertical intake chamber 8 whichis of general circular formation coaxial with the pumpl rotor. Thisintake chamber 8 slightly contracts and then begins to diverge slightlyin advance of the runner R. The walls of the intake thus merge graduallyinto a Spreading discharge diffuser 10 receiving the dischar e from therotor and passmg it on expanding lines to the spiral diffuser or chamber11` and discharge outlet 12, the baiiie 13 intervening between theoutlet 12 and the spreading and spiral diii'users as shown. The passages7, 8, 10, 11` and 12 are preferably formed in the pump stationsub-structure with pier structures 14 intervening between successiveintake passages 7 of a series and piers 15 interposed at the middle ofeach of said passages. Similarly pier members 16 intervene betweensuccessive outlets 12 giving a very strong construction.

The impeller R is of the diagonal outward flow type having a glgeaterradial than axial extent 'and the pit between the impeller head coverand station iioor gives-access to the movable parts. The intake passage7 is of the doubleI spiral type leading the water from each portiontothe inlet chamber 8. In this chamber 8 the flow passes upward to therotor R and is discharged diagonally outward into the spreading diffuser10 with a large component of whirl around the im eller axis. In thisdiffuser the discharge is ree to expand along spiral lines withcontinuous increase in cross sect-ion so that all components of the oware evenly decelerated and their velocity head reconverted into pressurehead. By the time the flow reaches the spiral diffuser 11 its Velocityis considerably reduced and in this diffuser the iiow lines are gatheredinto a stream progressing along expanding volute lines to the dischargeoutlet 12. The

spreading diffuser 10 may discharge either into a spiral diii'user ormerely a slmplied form of chamber having a circular end wall. The end ofthe intake 7 may also be circular; both intake and discharge passagesmaybe made to approximate spirals by making them eccentric.

Guide vanes V in the inlet chambers are inclined to give a whirl to theentering-flow. The crest C between the spreading and spiral eoldiifusers is at a higher elevation than the dis charge or head waterlevel 7L of the head water basin and the spiral difuser 11' and outlet12 are inclined downward inthe direction of discharge to empty below thelevel h. The discharge passages are thussiphonic so that the impellerspaces may be emptied and the im-V peller removed without the use ofgates in the discharge. It also becomes possible by this arrangement tostart the pump at low torque by first running the impeller in air andthen priming it after starting by removing the air from the passagethrough the use of an ejector diagrammatically shown at 17. This methodof starting is sometimes desirable when certain types of motor are usedfor driving the pump'.

By this invention the necessity ofproviding gates or valves is entirelyeliminated; an eicient diffuser 10 is provided and the rotor R is freelyaccessible for inspection when the unit is shut down. The position ofthe rotor R between the head water and tail water levels permits therotor to be placed to most advantageously regulate the pressures in theinlet and diffuser, and -where the rotor is up near ioo i head water asshown inthe drawings, the overall height of the machine is reduced withcorresponding saving in expense.

I claim:

l. In a hydraulic machine, a rotor, a passage formed by a circular wallextending above and below said rotor thereby providing an entrance anddischarge therefor, the discharge side of said passage having a portionrelatively gradually enlarging in the direction of fluid flowtherethrough thereby to decelerate the fluid flowing away from therotor, said rotor being located in the upper portion of said passage,means forming a sealed chamber extending below and on'the outside of theupper end of said wall, a liquid basin communicating with said chamberentirely below the top of said wall, and a liquid basin below said rotorand extending above the lower end of said wall.

2. In a hydraulic machine, a rotor, a passage formed by a circular wallforming a conduit extendin above and below said rotor thereby provi ingan entrance and discharge therefor, the entrance side of said passagehaving a portion relatively gradually decreasing in cross-sectional areain the direction of` fluid iiow therethrough, thereby to accelerate thefluid flowing toward said rotor, said rotor being located in the upper'portion of said passage, means forming a sealed chamber located aboveand extending below and on the outside of the upper extremity of saidconduit, a liquid basin communicating with said chamber entirely belowthe upper extremity of said conduit, and a liquid basin below said rotorand sealing the lower extremity of said conduit.

3. In a hydraulic machine, a rotor having a vertical axis of rotation, apassage formed by a circular wall forming a vertical conduit extendingabove and below said rotor, said rotor being located in the uppervportion of said passage, the portion of said conduit on one side ofsaidv rotor forming a decelerating passage, means forming a sealedchamber above said wall and extending below and on the outside of theexterior of the upper end of said conduit, a liquid basin communicatingwith said chamber entirely below the top of said wall, and a liquidbasin below said otor" and sealing the lower end of said conuit.

4. In a hydraulic machine, a pair of liquid basins having differentelevations, means forming a vertical circular conduit extending entirelyabove the upper basin and below the level in the lower basin, an axialflow rotor located in the upper portion of said conduit between theliquid levels of said basins and anejector for removing air from saidconduit.

5. In a hydraulic machine, a rotor, means forming a liquid chambersurrounding the axis of said rotor at the level of said rotor,

means forming a coaxial inlet passage communicating with said rotor,said passage ex-l y tending entirely above the liquid in said basin andsaid rotor being disposed in the upper portion of said passage, andmeans for decelerating the flow of liquid discharged from said rotor. A

6. In a hydraulic pump, rotor, a continuous wall forming a conduitextending above the lower portion of and surrounding said rotor to forma discharge passage, means forming a liquid sealed chamber above saidwall, an upper liquid basin communicating with said chamber entirelybelow the top of said wall and a liquid basin communicating with thelower end of said conduit, said rotor being disposed nearer the upper ofsaid basins than the lower one.

7. In a hydraulic machine, a rotor having a vertical axis of rotation, awall completely surrounding said axis and forming' a conduitcommunicating with the top of Said rotor, means forming a sealed chamberextending laterally in substantially all directions from said wall whilea portion of said chamber is continued in a lateral direction, and aliquid basinv communicating with vsaid chamber through said lateralcontinuation at the ex- ,terior entirely below the top of said wall anda liquid .basin communicating with the lower end of said conduit, saidrotor being disposed nearer the upper of said basins than the lower one.

8. In a hydraulic machine, a rotor havingl duit entirely below the topof the exterior of said wall. Y Y

9. In a hydraulic machine. a rotorbetween head water andtail water anddisposed'nearer the head water level .than the tail Water level andhaving a vertical axis of rotation,y a cir.

cular wall completely surrounding said axis and extending upwardly fromthe lower portion of said rotor, saidwall forming a conduit directedalong the axis of said rotor, means forming ,a sealed annular conduitdirected toward the axis of said rotorand extending. downwardly beyondthe periphery of said wall, and a liquid basin communicating with saiddownwardly extending conduit portionv entirely below the top of saidwall.

10. In a hydraulic machine, a pair ofliquid basins having differentelevations, ,y means forming a sealed Aconduit having its one endimmersed'in the liquid of the lower of said basins and having its upperend located entirely above the liquid level in the upper of said basins,a rotor in said conduit and located between the liquid levels insaidbasins, and nearer the upper one of said levels than the lower onethereof, Aand means for removing air from said conduit to establish aflow of liquid through said rotor.

11. In a hydraulic machine, a rotor having a vertical axis of rotation,means forming an open vertical upward flow decelerating` conduit withinwhich said rotor is located, a liquid basin communicating with the upperend of said conduit and the wall of said conduit forming a continuouscrest extending above the level of the liquid in said basin to permitdrainage of liquid from said conduit without permitting flow of liquidfrom said basin into said conduit, said rotor being disposed in a planenear the level of said basin. 12. In a hydraulic machine, a rotorbetween head Awater and tail water levels and having a vertical axis ofrotation, means forming an open vertical flow decelerating conduitwithin which said rotor is located in the uppermost portion thereof, andmeans forming a liquid basin in which the liquid level is maintainedbelow the top opening of said conduit.

13. In a hydraulic pump,a vertical upward ilow rotor between head waterand tail water levels and having a vertical axis of rotation, and meansforming'a conduit surrounding said axis above said rotor which isdisposed in the uppermost portion of said conduit, said conduit being.formed to decelerate liquid delivered from said rotor, and va liquidbasin entirely below the upper extremity of said conduit butcommunicable with said conduit extremity by Siphon action duringoperation of said rotor.

14. In a hydraulic machine, means forming head and tail water basins, arotor between the Vhead water and tail water levels and having avertical axis of rotation, means forming a liquid chamber surroundingsaid axis above said rotor and discharging into said head water basin,and means forming a How decelerating conduitV of relatlvely shortvertical dimension extending entirely above I the level of the'liquid insaid basin and adapted to gradually decelerate the liquid delivered fromsaid rotor to said chamber. f

15. In a hydraulic pump, the combination comprising means forming' avertical flow passage, a vertical shaft carrying a runner of greaterradial than axial extent, said runner being disposed within said passageadjacent its uppermost end, means forming a basin, and meanscommunicating with said basin andv formingA therewith a liquid seal forsaid upper end which extends above the liquid level in said basin. i

16. In a hydraulic pump, the combination comprising means forming avertical upward flow passage, a vertical shaft carrying arunner disposedwithin said passage adj aent its uppermost end, said passage havingportions sage having its cross sectional area gradually increased in thedirection of iow therethrough, a vertical shaft carrying a runner thediameter ofA which is twice its axial extent, said runner being disposedwithin said passage adjacent its uppermost end, means forming a basin,and means communicating with said basin and forming a liquid seal forsaid upper end which extends above the liquid level in said basin.' c

18. In a hydraulic machine, the combination comprising means forming avertical upward How passage Vhaving a flaring upper end, the surface ofwhich is formed as a surface of revolution, a vertical shaft carrying arunner disposed within said passage adiacent the uppermost end thereof,and means including a basin forming a' liquidseal for said upper endwhich extends above the liquid level in said basin.

19. In a hydraulic machine, the combination comprising means forming avertical flow passage having a Haring upper end, the surface of which isformed as a surface of revolution, a vertical-shaft'carrying a runnerdisposed within the flaring portion of said passage, and means includinga basin forming a liquid seal for said upper end which ex tends abovethe liquid level inv said basin.

20. In a hydraulic machine, the combination comprising means formins.r averticaliow passage, means forming` a closedspaceextending around theaxis of said passage at the upper end thereof, said space having upperand lower surfaces diverging along a circular path concentric to theaxis of the vertical passages, and a vertical shaft carrying a runnerdisposed within said vertical passage. l

21. In a hydraulic machine, the combination comprising a vertical shaftcarrying a runner, means forming a vertical flow passage having aportion of uniform cross-section which comprises an iniow passage tosaid runner and having provision at its lower and upper ends for varyingthe velocity of iow, means forming a basin, and a passage leading fromsaid uppermost end and havingcommunication with saidbasin at a pointbelow the level of said upper end. l

22. In a hydraulic machine, the combination comprising means forming avertical flow passage having a straight vertical portion, one end ofsaid passage having provision for effecting both acceleration anddeceleration of the flow, the other end 0f said p assage also havingprovision for accelerating the inflow, and a shaft carrying a ruimerdispose-d within the passage and between said acceleration anddeceleration portions which are both disposed at the same end.

23. In a hydraulic machine, the combination comprising means forming avertical flow passage having a portion provided wlth a straight verticalwall, said passage having at one end thereof and on one side of saidstraight portion both gradually enlargmg and contracting cross-sectionalareas thereby to effect acceleration and deceleration of the flow, and,said vertical passage also having provision at its other end to vary thevelocity of the fluid flow relative to said vert-ical portion, and ashaft carrying a .runner disposed within said passage and between saidenlarging and contracting cross-section areas.

24. In a hydraulic machine, a rotor, and means forming a flowdecelerating conduit within which said rotor is located between headWater and tail Water levels and is disposed nearer the'head water levelthan the tail Water level, the upper extremity of said conduit beinglocated entirely above the normal level of the head water communcatingtherewith during operation of said rotor.,

25. In a hydraulic machine, a rotor between head water and tail Waterlevels disposed nearer the head water level than the tail water level,means forming a flow deceleratmg conduit rising vertically from saidrotor, and means forming a passage descending from the upper extremityof said conduit toward the head water l'evel.

26. In a hydraulic machine, a rotor, means forming a circular inletpassage for directling only an axial flow to said rotor, means adaptedto impart whirl to the flow to said rotor, means forming a flowdecelerating con- 'duit communicating with the opposite side of saidrotor, and means forming liquid basins communicating With said passageand with said conduit respectively, the upper end of said conduit beinglocated entirely above the level of the liquid in the upper of saidbasins and forming an annular continuous the lower portion-of said rotorto forni a7 conduit communicating with said rotor which is disposednearer the top of saidconduit than the bottom, means forming a liquidsealed chalnber above said wall, a liquid basin communicating with saidchamber and extending below thc level of said rotor, and means forremoving air from said chamber.

28. In a hydraulic machine, the combination coml'irising a verticalshaftrotor, a con duit in which said rotor is disposed, an upper passagesurrounding` said shaft above said rotor to receive discharge therefrom,a diffuser passage adapted to receive and gradually dccelerate theoutflow from said upper passage, said upper and diffuser' passages beingof relatively short vertical dimensions.

29. In' a hydraulic machine the .combination with a vertical shaftrotor, means forming upper and lower basins, and means forming a conduitallowing communication -between said basins including a dischargediffuser therefor having a crest above the level of the water in saidupper basin, a closed passage between said upper basin and diffuserwhereby there is formed a siphon permitting the rotor passages to beemptied without shutting off' the discharge passages, the verticaldimension of said conduit above said rotor being relatively small incomparison totthat portion of the conduit below said ro or.

30. In a hydraulic machine the combinaf i LEI/VIS FERRY MOODY.

